The Ripton Conservation Commission invites you to explore the amazing seasonal ecosystem that is the vernal pool! Springtime is the right time to locate and explore these unique wetland habitats, searching for indicator amphibian (frogs/salamanders) and invertebrate species (fairy shrimp/fingernail clams/caddisfly larva). Everyone is welcome to come and learn what features define vernal pools in our area, with the ultimate goal of mapping Ripton's vernal pools to share with the Vermont Center for Ecostudies.
We'll meet up at 155 Norton Farm Rd in Ripton and plan on hiking 1.5 miles visiting up to 4 vernal pool sites along the way. We will be walking on a maintained forest service road/VAST Trail that is considered easy hiking with an overall gentle incline (downhill all the way back!). Please bring footwear capable of withstanding 6-12 inches of water. Contact Greg Pask (gregpask@gmail.com) if you have any questions, and we hope to see you there!